If the mere thought of having a Halloween party for a bunch of children is enough to make you turn into a witch, relax. Party hosting doesn’t have to be stressful.

In fact, with a little planning and preparing, hosting a Halloween party for a few of your children’s closest friends can be quite fun, especially if you follow these tips.

1. Have a schedule

Whenever I throw a Halloween party for kids, I always print out a schedule and hang it up in a visible place (I’ve even been known to include a copy with the invitation). With a large group of young children, things can get chaotic quickly, so having a schedule allows everyone to know what to expect and helps to keep everyone on the same page. When scheduling your Halloween party, be sure to plan it around nap times, if your guests are of the napping ages. Early morning parties that start at 10 AM or later afternoon parties that start at 3 PM usually work best.

2. Have age appropriate activities

When planning Halloween party activities take into consideration the ages of your guests. Putting a Halloween twist on familiar, age appropriate games often makes for the best activities. Hide plastic pumpkins in the back yard and play “Hide the Pumpkins” or instead of “Duck, Duck, Goose” play “Pumpkin, Pumpkin, Jack-o-lantern.” Reading Halloween themed stories and singing Halloween themed songs are always a hit with younger children.

3. Serve snacks

Well fed children are well behaved children. Be sure to offer your guests a few Halloween themed snacks. Press a sliced almond into the end of a cheese stick or breadstick to create a withes finger, serve orange colored cream cheese on whole wheat bread, or dip the ends of pretzel rods into melted chocolate and roll it in colored sprinkles to look like a sparkly wand. If you’re hosting your party around a meal time, be sure to offer a meal to your guests or indicate on your invitation what will be served. Pizza is always an easy party option. If you are concerned about allergies, consider adding a line to your invitation asking guests who have allergies to contact you prior to the party.

4. Have a quiet activity

Having a Halloween themed craft or Halloween themed coloring pages and crayons available can provide for a quiet activity when a break is needed. Some children are overwhelmed in a party atmosphere and having an area where they can take a break and do a quiet activity can be helpful.

5. Childproof your party area

Whether your party will be inside or out, be sure to childproof your party area. Move any breakables out of reach and gate off areas of the home that you want to prevent access to. If your party is outdoors, be sure that all landscaping items and chemicals are put away and be sure the play area is safe and secure.

When you consider the ages of your guests and plan around their developmental needs and levels, you can truly plan a wonderful, stress free Halloween party that the children and the adults will enjoy.

With her background as an International Nanny Association Credentialed Nanny specializing in caring for multiples, Michelle has been partnering with parents in raising their children since 1994.

With her extensive experience in newborn, infant and child care, and with her passion for setting herself apart from her peers by providing top-notch service, Michelle is regularly called on by the most popular parenting magazines and websites to share her knowledge and expertise. She has been featured on Parents.com, Parenting.com, and BabyTalk.com and regularly contributes to ModernMom.com, Momtastic.com, and other popular parenting websites.

Michelle has contributed to TWINS Magazine and wrote a chapter for the best-selling Experts' Guide to the Baby Years. Michelle has also authored four books of her own entitled, Nanny to the Rescue!, Nanny to the Rescue Again!, Working Mom's 411 and A Mom's Ultimate Book of Lists. She also co-authored Beyond Parenting Basics: The International Nanny Association’s Official Guide to In-Home Child Care.

Michelle is an active member of the nanny and baby planner communities. In 2004, Michelle was honored as the International Nanny Association Nanny of the Year> and received accolades from President George Bush for her dedication to improving quality in-home child care. Michelle serves on the advisory board of the International Academy of Baby Planner Professionals and has served on the board of directors and as vice president of the International Nanny Association. She has also served as the executive director of the International Nanny Association and as a trainer for The Academy of Coaching Parents International.

Michelle currently serves as the editor in chief of Longhorn Leads, managing the content across their portfolio of care related sites including www.eNannySource.com, www.GoNannies.com, www.NannyPro.com, and www.4Nannies.com, in addition to serving as the executive director of Morningside Nannies, the company’s award-winning placement agency.

Michelle is a national speaker, bringing a message of hope and empowerment to moms groups across the nation. She and her husband Jeff, reside on Cape Cod with their daughter, Abigail, and their son, Luke.